If you would like us to use
artwork you have, or will produce, please read the following
information carefully. In doing so you will learn how to set-up
and size your artwork so we will be able to use it when we receive
it.
Doing so will help us expedite
your order and keep it from being delayed.
File formats
we can work with
We can work with any of the
following file formats:
.ai (Adobe Illustrator)
.cdr (CorelDraw)
.psd (PhotoShop)
.eps
.tiff
.jpg
.bmp
.pdf
We prefer working with
files that have been saved in Adobe Illustrator (.ai).
If you are going to send
us an Adobe llustrator file (.ai) - please save it as version CS 2
or lower; convert all fonts to paths / outlines
If you are going to send us a CorelDraw file (.cdr) - please save as version 12
or lower; convert all fonts to paths / outlines.
It's not the best program for designing, but we may be able to
extract graphic images from Microsoft Word files that have been
saved as a .doc
Sorry, we are unable to work
with PowerPoint or Publisher files. If you have PowerPoint or
Publisher files, please save them as a .jpg.
Sending clip art,
logos, photos or finished artwork
If you have a logo, a photo
or any type of clip art you would like us to use, please send
it as a high-resolution .jpg or .psd file, preferrably at 200-300
dpi. (300 dpi yields better results).
To send files for us to use, click on the appropriate button
below.
Potential Problems with Fonts
When we receive artwork that
was created with a font we don't have, problems can arise.
If we don't have the EXACT font
that was used (there are many variations of common fonts and
there's a good chance those variations will not work), we won't
be able to print your design and have it look the way you intended.
However, there are ways around
this problem.
If your artwork is created
in CorelDraw or Adoble Illustrator, please convert the fonts
to what are known as paths / outlines before sending your
file. (To convert to paths / outlines simply select all the type
in the design and choose the "convert to paths / outlines"
option under the type menu).
Another way to avoid font problems
is to send your artwork in any of the following file formats
(.psd, .jpg, .bmp, or .tif). If you use any of these file formats,
we won't have a problem with the fonts.
If you are going to create
and send a relatively simple design, it probably would be easier
to have our graphics department create the artwork for you. And
since basic design and set-up is included in the price, it would
probably be easier for you, too.
Digital Printing
and Color Matching
The items we produce will be
printed on a high-quality Xerox digital color laser printer.
Because we print digitally, we are unable to offer exact Pantone
color matching. If you need any item we produce to be color matched,
please let us know when placing your order.
If you need clip-art
for your design, but don't have what you need
If you want to include a graphic
image (often referred to as clip art) in your design, but don't
have what you need, we have a possible solution.
You can go to clipart.com
and look through their vast collection of online clip art. We
have a subscription to their service and we can use the clip
art found on their site to help create your design.
To facilitate your search, simply enter a word or short phrase
that describes what you are looking for in their search window.
After viewing the results, if you find a piece of clip art you'd
like us to use, click on the item and you will see a file number
associated with that piece of clip art. Write that item number
down and let us know what it is. We then will be able to
find it and hopefully use it to create your design.
Properly sizing
the artwork for your buttons
For specifics on how to properly
size the artwork for your button, please look at the table below
and find the button size you wish to have made.
Underneath each button size you will see three dimensions...
image area, background color, and cut line.
Below you will find a description of what these terms mean.
Image area - sometimes called the "live
area"; this is the area in which the text and graphics need
to be contained. Doing so keeps your text and graphic images
from getting too close to the edge of your button and possibly
going over the side.
Background Color - If you'd like your button to have
a colored background or a bleed, as it is sometimes called, use
this figure to properly size the background color of your design.
This figure is important, so please make certain any background
or background color (other than white) is the exact size called
for, for your particular button size.
Cut Line - The cut line is used to accurately
cut your artwork. It helps us make certain your artwork is centered
on your button. The cutline should be a 1 point black line.
* If your artwork has a background
color / bleed, and you have sized the cut line according to our
directions, you should see a white gap between the cutline and
the background/bleed. This is as it should be.
If the background / bleed extends all the way to the cutline,
our button machine can have problems working with your image.
Our high-speed button presses need this white gap to function
properly.
Properly sizing
your artwork for lapel stickers
For the specifics on how to
properly size the artwork for lapel stickers, please look at
the table below and find the sticker size you wish to have made.
Underneath each size you will see two dimensions... image
area and background color. Below you will find a description
of what these terms mean.
Image area - sometimes called the "live
area", this is the area in which text and graphics need
to be contained. Doing so keeps your text and graphic images
from getting too close to the edge of your sticker and possibly
going over the edge.
Background Color - If you want your sticker to have
a color background or a bleed, as it is sometimes called, use
this figure to properly size your background. This figure is
important, so please make certain that your background or background
color (if you have one) is the exact size called for.
